FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_16"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_16-b01)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 14.2-b01, mixed mode, sharing)
ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
When installing Java 6 JRE (I have tried update 16 and 15) using the offline installer or the kernel installer charsets.jar is available
But if I use the online installer "Windows Online Installation" charsets.jar isn't being installed on Windows XP
It installs on Windows Vista.
The installer from java.com is the online installer, so if my customers update from java.com, my application breaks.
Why is there a difference between XP and Vista?
Is there a way to get the online installer to download character sets on Windows XP?
STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Start Windows XP
Install JRE using online installer ie from java.com
Check to see that charset.jar is available
Like Charset.forName("IBM01142");
EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
No Exception
ACTUAL -
Exception is thrown
ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
java.nio.charset.UnsupportedCharsetException: IBM01142
at java.nio.charset.Charset.forName(Unknown Source)
REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.
---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
public class TestCase {
public static void main(String[] args) {
java.nio.charset.Charset.forName("IBM01142");
}
}
---------- END SOURCE ----------
CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Install using Kernal Installer or the offline installer or use Windows Vista or WIndows 7

Comments

This was addressed in Java 7. We always install these files with the online installer now.

2013-08-28

This should be closed either as 'will not fix' for jdk6 or resolved for jdk7. We will not be autoupdating anyone to a 6 update as of February 2013:
https://blogs.oracle.com/henrik/entry/java_6_eol_h_h

2012-10-09

Customer reports that this is an issue with 6u34/6u35. Cannot move to Java 7 at this time so has been asking users to turn off auto-update.

2012-10-08

EVALUATION
charsets.jar is now delivered with every online JRE install. This is no longer a defect with JDK7.

2011-01-12

EVALUATION
additional information from customer:
1. Problem only exists on XP; Vista and Win 7 is okay.
2. What is even more disturbing is that if you install the offline installer and charset.jar is installed to an XP box, when the user then updates through autoupdate, the machine is updated with the online installer which removes charset.jar and breaks the machine.
Please evaluate.

2010-09-23

EVALUATION
We need Xueming Shen to comment on whether this is really a bug, and what the fix going forward should be.